Triangle lags in giving

Read more about how the Triangle lags in giving in the original News & Observer article.

Todd Cohen
Published: Tue, Nov. 25, 2008 12:30AM

RALEIGH --

Although it's a thriving region, the Triangle trails peer metro areas in philanthropic assets and giving. The blame lies with a lack of connectedness among people and communities in the region.

Those are the conclusions of a report that marks the first step in a long-term effort to better track and promote the giving of time, know-how and money in the region.

Addressing the urgent social problems our region faces -- problems that only will get worse in recession -- will require that charitable organizations work harder to connect with givers. The report, co-sponsored by the Triangle Community Foundation and N.C. Public Radio-WUNC, and conducted by the Program on Public Life at UNC-Chapel Hill, says "stunning growth" has transformed the Triangle into a multi-ethnic "city-state."

But in what may be the most comprehensive look at giving in the region, the report says local philanthropy is lagging.

CHARITABLE GIVING IN THE TRIANGLE TRAILS that of peer metro areas largely because, unlike those communities, the region lacks home-grown corporations, wealth and philanthropic assets, says "How the Triangle Gives Back."

And while the region as a whole has grown, those living and working here have grown apart from one another.

"As we have grown so significantly and become such a dynamic and diverse place, connection to this place is missing," Robyn Fehrman, community program officer for the Triangle Community Foundation, said in an interview. "When people don't feel connected to the place, it's harder to give to that place."

Andrea Bazán, the foundation's president, said the goal of the Triangle Gives Back initiative is to "engage folks in the Triangle who currently don't see themselves as philanthropists but are already giving back, or those who are not yet engaged in community involvement and who need a vehicle."

While it often ranks among the best places in the United States to live and do business, the Triangle faces wide gaps in income and rising costs of living that hurt the poor and the middle class.

Average individual giving in the Triangle trails that of Charlotte, the Triad and North Carolina overall, and the region "has a rather shallow pool of corporate philanthropy and foundation assets." But, mirroring national trends, the report says, Triangle residents give more than local grant-makers.

Residents who itemize contributions on their federal tax returns gave $947 million in 2005, for example, and individuals in the region give at least $1 billion a year, and probably much more, to faith organizations.

In comparison, the 417 foundations based in the Triangle gave a total of $1.03 billion from 2000 to 2006, numbers that are low compared with peer metro areas.

Universities help attract substantial funds from foundations outside the region, which is home to 5,433 charitable nonprofits with $29.6 billion in assets and $11.7 billion in annual revenue.

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LACKING A LOT OF BIG, LOCALLY BASED CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, the Triangle's "corporate-giving structure is less mature and robust than that of older regional economies," the report says.

In January, based on input from the community, the Triangle Community Foundation will offer recommendations to spur giving and will launch a Web site. The site, which has been launched on a preliminary basis at trianglegivesback.org and includes a copy of the report, eventually will let visitors belong to a community of online givers; connect with causes they care about; share ideas and information about local needs and strategies for addressing them and learn about local nonprofits and volunteer opportunities.

For now, individuals, foundations and companies in the Triangle can dig deeper to give their time, their expertise and their financial contributions to local charities to help fix local problems.

First, though, those charities need to help the community better understand the needs they address, the challenges they face and the impact they have on making the Triangle a better place to live and work.